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CHAPTER 3 – PETUNIA AND DUDLEY'S TALES

The next day a visitor from the ministry came to the Burrow with Petunia and Dudley Dursley. Now Petunia still had the same face and features, but Dudley looked like he lost a lot of weight and was very healthy and a good looking person. He also looks younger than his age, and is not the pestering boy or bully that we all know. So what has changed?

Harry went to meet the visitors and said, "Hi aunt Petunia, hi Big-D, blimey Dudley, you lost lots of weight! Looks good on you though."

Dudley held out his hand and replied, "Yeah mate, good to see you Harry. I lost weight because it was my decision, I don't want to look so fat like my father, and it's not healthy. By the way, sorry for being mean to you all those years Harry. From what I heard, you did extraordinary things."

At this moment, the skinny Petunia came shaking and said, "Hi Harry, it looks like you are at home, and I am so happy for you. I'm really sorry about hating you all these years, but let me explain more."

Harry replied, "I know people can change, I just witnessed it yesterday at court. Anyway I would love to hear from both of you. Would you like a drink? Tea or coffee?" After the requests, tea and coffee was prepared and Harry asked, "How is uncle Vernon?"

Dudley replied, "I'm surprised you ask about him Harry. He's ok, but could be better. Doctors tell him to do more exercise but he just grunts at that."

Harry replied, "Well, I see you are taking the doctors' advice. So how come the change? I would love to hear it all."

Dudley and Petunia told him the whole story from when they left Privet Drive until now. They told him how Harry had so much on his shoulders, and at that age he shouldn't have to worry about anything except getting himself into trouble. When the people from the ministry told them all about the Potters and the story of Voldemort, Dudley and Petunia were stunned and it was then that they had a change of heart. "So basically," said Petunia, "we are indebted to you forever. It looks like your school and this ministry is also indebted to you."

After talking, Petunia took Harry aside and said, "Harry, I didn't bring this up, but basically I never hated your mother, my sister. I was jealous and I also wanted that letter and have the chance to learn magic. I knew I had to talk to this Dumbledore person, but it was too late. My pride got the better of me. I never really hated you either, I just had to go along with my husband, but now I don't know how much longer Vernon will survive. He is on and off every day, and the doctors say that it's a matter of time before he passes."

She sniffed at that, and Harry consoled her and said, "I'm sorry to hear that."

Petunia replied, "I won't feel that much loss, after all, he acted rather ungrateful and hasn't changed at all. I just don't want Dudley to end up like him."

Harry thanked his aunt for opening up to him and said, "Ok, can we put the past behind our backs and move forward?"

Petunia replied, "Yes, of-course we can."

They hugged to seal the deal. Harry said, "I am planning to marry Ginny, my girlfriend, in a few years' time. You and Dudley are both invited. If uncle Vernon is still alive, he too is welcome, we will send you invitations."

Petunia thanked him and said, "I'm looking forward to that."

Harry went away and saw Dudley speaking with Ron, Ginny, Hermione, George and Molly. When Dudley saw Harry, he said, "Harry, can I have a word with you?"

Harry replied, "Sure Dudley."

As they spoke, Dudley said, "Listen Harry, I want to say again that I'm sorry for all I've said and done to you. When we were in hiding, the people from the ministry told us what you went through all those years. It is not fair on someone like you and your age. When the people mentioned everything that you did, I was amazed and started asking questions about your world and magic. Dad was pissed off at that, but I told him to go toss himself, I want to learn something new. So as I heard your story, I was struck and changed me heart during the many encounters that you had with this Voldemort person. He sounds like a sleazy arsehole. Anyway, when you were crying in your dreams about this Cedric person, they told me everything, and I felt so guilty and sorry for teasing you. So now I am with different people, and I don't want to be known as Big-D anymore, I told my so-called friends to go toss themselves because I want to be someone, not go behind bars for a long time as a result of harassment or bullying. To cut a long story short, it felt like only a few days for me in hiding, but to my parents it was like a few years. Mum was guilt ridden about your mother and I was ashamed about what I did all those years. I think I started to change after you saved me from those nasty creatures, those Dementors. Anyway, I want to surprise you by saying that I have a girlfriend, she owns a restaurant and she is, you know, a witch."

At that, Harry was stunned and said, "Well Dudley, I think that we can put the past behind us and move forward."

Dudley replied, "She told me a lot about you, and that's also when I started to change my views about you. I told her that you're my cousin and she was stunned."

Harry said, "Do your parents know that?"

He replied, "Mum knows, and she told me if I am happy, then I don't have to worry about dad. He doesn't know for obvious reasons and is still an ungrateful dick head. And yes, we can put the past behind our backs."

Harry and Dudley hugged and Harry said, "You know the saying Dud, you can choose your friends but you can't choose your family?"

He said, "Yeah mate, I know that."

Harry replied, "I know we haven't been close, but it's not too late to start."

Dudley said, "Ok I'll give it shot. By the way Harry, can I visit your school? I asked mum and she said that it's ok if I am even allowed to go. She also wants to see the school."

Harry said, "I'll see what I can do mate." And then they went back to the others and had dinner with the Weasleys. Petunia was amazed at the magic used to prepare dinner and wash up, and Dudley was just excited. Dudley had many questions about this sport that the Weasleys were talking about, Quidditch, and they tried to explain it to him in simple terms. He longed to watch a match, where he will learn more.

After dinner, Harry asked Arthur if it is possible that his aunt and cousin visit Hogwarts to see what it is like.

Arthur asked, "Are you sure Harry?"

He replied, "Yes, I don't think they will tell anyone, and it's not like that my uncle will believe them anyway." Arthur said that he will arrange something.